African Witchcraft and Otherness : A Philosophical and Theological Critique of Intersubjective Relations

A bold work of African philosophy and theology that brings together witchcraft and the philosophy of Levinas. "This work of African philosophy and theology uses the thought of Emmanuel Levinas to provide an analysis of tfu (witchcraft) among the Wimbum people of Cameroon along with a critique of intersubjective relations. Taking an approach he calls "critical contextualism," author Elias Bongmba employs Levinas's philosophy, particularly the concept of the Other, to engage in cross-cultural philosophy that does not destroy the perspective of the culture under study. Insights from anthropology, African studies, and the author's own experiences are also important throughout the book. Bongmba discusses the cultural background of the Wimbum people and explores the concepts and terms used to discuss the acquisition of several categories of power generally described as tfu. Bongmba argues that when properly explored and understood, these terms refer to complex practices that involve power that can be used for good and power that can be abused. Drawing from Levinas, the author demonstrates that negative use of tfu constitutes a totalizing praxis. He goes on to endorse Levinas's call for a phenomenology of eros as a way of reconfiguring interpersonal relationships."--BOOK JACKET. African Witchcraft and Otherness......Page 4 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Maps......Page 11 Preface......Page 14 1. The Wimbum People......Page 32 2. Toward a Hermeneutics of Wimbum Tfu......Page 48 3. Beyond the Rationality Debate to Contextual Ethics......Page 86 4. Levinas on the Ethics of the Other......Page 102 5. Toward a Philosophical and Theological Critique of Tfu......Page 132 Conclusion......Page 160 PREFACE......Page 164 CHAPTER 1......Page 168 CHAPTER 2......Page 172 CHAPTER 3......Page 180 CHAPTER 4......Page 188 CHAPTER 5......Page 192 CONCLUSION......Page 200 Appendix: Different Levels of Tfu Knowledge......Page 202 Glossary......Page 204 Selected Bibliography......Page 210 D......Page 242 H......Page 243 M......Page 244 S......Page 245 Y......Page 246 B......Page 248 D......Page 249 F......Page 250 L......Page 251 N......Page 252 P......Page 253 T......Page 254 Z......Page 255